Eli Whitney's Rosh Hashanah Resolution

This Rosh Hashanah make sure your resolutions are S.M.A.R.T.

As Rosh Hashana rapidly approaches, we want to make resolutions that will help us change our lives for the better so that we don't make the coming year a repeat of this past year.

We can learn some important lessons about implementing change from Eli Whitney, a man who changed America and the entire world, more dramatically than Henry Ford or Alexander Graham Bell. A man who also made some fatal errors, ones that would cost him dearly.

Eli Whitney, a real Yankee from Massachusetts, graduated from Yale University in 1792, and moved south to fill a tutoring position which was supposed to assist him in paying off his college loans (some things never change). When he arrived, he found the employers would only pay half of what they had promised (again, some things never change). He left, and went looking for other work. He was invited to stay a week at a plantation outside of Savannah, while he went job-hunting.

At the plantation, he noticed a problem with Upland Cotton, the species commonly grown in the South. It had seeds covered in a coating resembling green velvet which stuck to the cotton fibers like Velcro. It took a full day of labor to "gin," or remove, the seeds from one pound of cotton. This was so inefficient that Upland Cotton was essentially worthless and the entire South was only exporting a few hundred bags of cotton to England each year.

Eli invented a machine called the cotton gin, which ginned cotton and cleaned itself. The South soon changed from an uncultivated wilderness to a wealthy blossoming agrarian region, eventually exporting as much as 920 million pounds of cotton to England each year. This did not liberate the slaves; au contraire, slavery boomed, with the price of slaves rising from $50 in 1800 to $1,000 by 1850. However, the price of cloth dove down 99%, and people worldwide were clothed in comfortable, washable clothing. Even the common man could own more than one set of clothing for the first time in history.

But Eli didn't strike it rich. His mistake? He tried to grab too big a piece of the pie.

But Eli didn't strike it rich. What was his big mistake? He tried to grab too big a piece of the pie. Recognizing the enormous benefit of his invention, he decided to set up his own cotton ginning centers where he charged farmers 40% of their crop. The Southerners found this ridiculous, especially coming from a Yankee, and began making their own crude cotton gins, waving a big thumb at Eli Whitney's patent. They even began a rumor that his machines were inferior, and soon factories in England wouldn't buy cotton ginned in his machines. He fought patent battles for years and ended up losing money on this world-altering invention.

Lesson #1: Every year we are tempted to make the coming year "the Big Year," when we fix all our bad habits. We're going to quit smoking, come home from work no later than 5:30 pm, go to synagogue daily, begin learning with a study partner once a week, and never say anything negative to anyone.

Let's learn from Eli. We may have the ideas for great innovations and positive changes, but we need to moderate them to ensure they will be doable. We can't bite a bigger piece than we can chew. In Social Work school, we learned the S.M.A.R.T. way to make goals; make them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Based. Just think where we'd be in 20 years from now if every year we were to take on one S.M.A.R.T. goal and actualize it.

ELI STRIKES BACK

After losing money on his gin, Eli needed cash, so he invented the system called mass production. Until then, most items were made beginning to end by one master craftsman, thus making every piece unique. If one part broke, the whole thing was useless. The U.S. Army was having a particularly difficult time manufacturing muskets. They took days to make, were expensive and, if one piece broke on the battlefield, the musket was useless, and the soldier became a sitting duck.

Eli invented a new system using high precision tools to manufacture parts. These parts could be assembled by any unskilled worker, and were entirely interchangeable. Thus, if a trigger were to break, a foot soldier would simply pull out a spare trigger and get back into action. The format Eli invented for the musket was adopted all over the world, revolutionizing manufacturing. Your car, washing machine, shaver, laptop, and bicycle are cheaper, easier to fix, and better as a result. Eli finally struck it rich.

Lesson #2: The problem Eli set out to fix can beset any of us. We often make resolutions which are complex and dependant on many factors. Here's one example: If I get up an hour earlier every day, and pray and exercise immediately after waking, then I'll be able to make my family a hot breakfast, and spend quality time with my kids before they go to school. That kind of resolution is dependant on far too many factors – if one detail breaks (you sleep through the alarm, your workout takes longer than expected, or one of your kids refuses to get out of bed), the entire resolution falls apart.

An example of a better resolution would be, "Every evening I will spend five minutes reviewing my day. I will make note of both the good things that should be repeated the next day, and the mistakes that should not." This is something that doesn't require other people's cooperation, it can be done anywhere, and at anytime in the evening, and if you miss one day you can be right back on track the next day.

Let's make sure our resolutions can be easily fixed if we slip, resolutions that can help us mass produce good deeds, and a happy life.

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About the Author

Leiby Burnham, CSW, is a rabbi, psychotherapist, and writer. He lives in Detroit with his wife, an ICU nurse, who is on strict orders to "leave her patients at work" and their three daughters, Orah, Shifra and Rachel. Rabbi Burnham works for the Jean and Theodore Weiss Partners in Torah program of Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, where he does community outreach, and runs a Jewish educational programs at University of Michigan, Wayne State, and Oakland University. He taught learning-disabled high school students for eight years in NYC, while receiving Rabbinical training at Shor Yoshuv Institute, and obtaining his Masters in Social Work from Yeshiva University.

Visitor Comments: 10

(10)
Wearsie Jackson,
January 12, 2013 1:09 PM

Good advice on taking on "manageable" work - but certainly the long way to get there!

As you can see, I came across this article quite later and appreciate it's timeliness advice on keeping our goals simpler and less dependent on factors outside our control. Or simply, "not biting off more than we can reasonably chew".
These sage words struck a chord with me and I shall use them to help better myself and family. I'm just a little disappointed that the most important part of the article (IMHO) was buried under a lengthy introduction -- which seems a little counterintuitive the Rabbi's point of making things things less complex.
I will certainly share the "Lesson 2" section with friends but won't insult their time them with the earlier verbosity.

(9)
nsmilowitz,
June 2, 2010 1:40 PM

Fascinating!

I was intrigued by this article. Eli was brilliant enough to recognize a problem and even overcome it and still met new pitfalls. After all that he did not surrender and found a new method. This was very inspiring!

(8)
SusanAlterman,
September 24, 2006 10:30 AM

Great Message

I sent this article to all my friends. The message was meaningful and well written. I count on Rabbi Burnham regularly and he is a rising star among rabbis. He can take the most difficult lesson, make it relate to today and most of all, make it personal. I hope to read more by Rabbi B in the near future!!

(7)
Anonymous,
September 18, 2006 6:35 PM

Good Business Technique

This is classic business technique and great history on Eli Whitney. The most impressive item however, is in your bio where you are actually able to motivate your wife to "leave her patients at the hospital". Compassionate doctors and nurses sometimes find this tough.

(6)
FeTerezJuarez,
September 18, 2006 12:21 PM

a history lesson & food for thought!

Thank you for this timely article! I had the same S.m.a.r.t. advice in Social Worker School; it is a perfect week to be reminded of it!

(5)
Anonymous,
September 18, 2006 9:18 AM

easy to make resolutions that don't take other people into account

This is a very interesting metaphor, and SMART is important to remember. But it is almost funny how Rabbi Burnham notes at the end of the article that it is easier to make resolutions that do not involve other people. Of course it is! It is also a lot less helpful, less important, and does not touch on chesed. Granted, the mother at the end of the article bit off more than she could chew - I thought the author was going to advise she accept only one thing on herself. His idea of eliminating other people from the equation because peopleare too unpredictable is deneying the most imprtant goal of improving onesself at all - to be able to excel at chesed. Through people are where we make the difference.

THE AUTHOR RESPONDS:
Thank you for comment. The point I was trying to make is one my mother taught me, which she learnt from Rebbetzin Heller. In life, our job is to be concerned with our ruchniyuot or spirituality, and with other people's gashmiyut or physical needs. When we make goals for ourselves that can only work with other people growing spiritually, we are missing the point. If one wants to have a goal of chessed that incorporates others that is fine, but it should be something to the tune of "I will say one kind word to so and so today, regardless of how they treat me", or "I will bake a cake every Friday for the elderly lady living across the street for me." These are chesed goals that don't require the other person to act in any way. They are ways to build your ruchniyut while helping someone else's gashmiyut!
Shana Tova

(4)
MoshehWolfish,
September 18, 2006 8:07 AM

Classic mistake in advising on resolution making

The author is guilty of classic (in the rut) thinking regarding making changes in one's life. This period of time (Elul) allows us to reconsider the macro and micro problems in our lives. The techniques mentioned are better suited for micro-particular stuff, yet the author applies them to macro-lifestyle issues. One should learn a lesson from the chassidim where it is recognized that man is a social being and many times it is our social context that trips us up, and therein lies the solution. Being with the people you wish to emulate and/or who share the values you wish to change to, is a terrific support mechanism. Just ask any AA member. :-)

(3)
GloriaMashat,
September 17, 2006 10:32 PM

Eli learned from his mistakes

Informative article on Eli Whitney

(2)
Meryl,
September 17, 2006 9:06 PM

I like to learn about Judaism.

(1)
Nachshon,
September 17, 2006 1:49 PM

eli whitney

unfortuately you have repeated one of the stronger myth of American History. Eli W was a mechanic visting General Nathaniel Greene's plantation in GA, when the General's WIFE showed Eli her sketches of a device, set him up in a workshop on the farm & provided his support while he built her device. amazing how you id not even note whose plantation.

I just got married and have an important question: Can we eat rice on Passover? My wife grew up eating it, and I did not. Is this just a matter of family tradition?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Torah instructs a Jew not to eat (or even possess) chametz all seven days of Passover (Exodus 13:3). "Chametz" is defined as any of the five grains (wheat, spelt, barley, oats, and rye) that came into contact with water for more than 18 minutes. Chametz is a serious Torah prohibition, and for that reason we take extra protective measures on Passover to prevent any mistakes.

Hence the category of food called "kitniyot" (sometimes referred to generically as "legumes"). This includes rice, corn, soy beans, string beans, peas, lentils, peanuts, mustard, sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Even though kitniyot cannot technically become chametz, Ashkenazi Jews do not eat them on Passover. Why?

Products of kitniyot often appear like chametz products. For example, it can be hard to distinguish between rice flour (kitniyot) and wheat flour (chametz). Also, chametz grains may become inadvertently mixed together with kitniyot. Therefore, to prevent confusion, all kitniyot were prohibited.

In Jewish law, there is one important distinction between chametz and kitniyot. During Passover, it is forbidden to even have chametz in one's possession (hence the custom of "selling chametz"). Whereas it is permitted to own kitniyot during Passover and even to use it - not for eating - but for things like baby powder which contains cornstarch. Similarly, someone who is sick is allowed to take medicine containing kitniyot.

What about derivatives of kitniyot - e.g. corn oil, peanut oil, etc? This is a difference of opinion. Many will use kitniyot-based oils on Passover, while others are strict and only use olive or walnut oil.

Finally, there is one product called "quinoa" (pronounced "ken-wah" or "kin-o-ah") that is permitted on Passover even for Ashkenazim. Although it resembles a grain, it is technically a grass, and was never included in the prohibition against kitniyot. It is prepared like rice and has a very high protein content. (It's excellent in "cholent" stew!) In the United States and elsewhere, mainstream kosher supervision agencies certify it "Kosher for Passover" -- look for the label.

Interestingly, the Sefardi Jewish community does not have a prohibition against kitniyot. This creates the strange situation, for example, where one family could be eating rice on Passover - when their neighbors will not. So am I going to guess here that you are Ashkenazi and your wife is Sefardi. Am I right?

Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Moses ben Nachman (1194-1270), known as Nachmanides, and by the acronym of his name, Ramban. Born in Spain, he was a physician by trade, but was best-known for authoring brilliant commentaries on the Bible, Talmud, and philosophy. In 1263, King James of Spain authorized a disputation (religious debate) between Nachmanides and a Jewish convert to Christianity, Pablo Christiani. Nachmanides reluctantly agreed to take part, only after being assured by the king that he would have full freedom of expression. Nachmanides won the debate, which earned the king's respect and a prize of 300 gold coins. But this incensed the Church: Nachmanides was charged with blasphemy and he was forced to flee Spain. So at age 72, Nachmanides moved to Jerusalem. He was struck by the desolation in the Holy City -- there were so few Jews that he could not even find a minyan to pray. Nachmanides immediately set about rebuilding the Jewish community. The Ramban Synagogue stands today in Jerusalem's Old City, a living testimony to his efforts.

It's easy to be intimidated by mean people. See through their mask. Underneath is an insecure and unhappy person. They are alienated from others because they are alienated from themselves.

Have compassion for them. Not pity, not condemning, not fear, but compassion. Feel for their suffering. Identify with their core humanity. You might be able to influence them for the good. You might not. Either way your compassion frees you from their destructiveness. And if you would like to help them change, compassion gives you a chance to succeed.

It is the nature of a person to be influenced by his fellows and comrades (Rambam, Hil. De'os 6:1).

We can never escape the influence of our environment. Our life-style impacts upon us and, as if by osmosis, penetrates our skin and becomes part of us.

Our environment today is thoroughly computerized. Computer intelligence is no longer a science-fiction fantasy, but an everyday occurrence. Some computers can even carry out complete interviews. The computer asks questions, receives answers, interprets these answers, and uses its newly acquired information to ask new questions.

Still, while computers may be able to think, they cannot feel. The uniqueness of human beings is therefore no longer in their intellect, but in their emotions.

We must be extremely careful not to allow ourselves to become human computers that are devoid of feelings. Our culture is in danger of losing this essential aspect of humanity, remaining only with intellect. Because we communicate so much with unfeeling computers, we are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own feelings and oblivious to the feelings of others.

As we check in at our jobs, and the computer on our desk greets us with, "Good morning, Mr. Smith. Today is Wednesday, and here is the agenda for today," let us remember that this machine may indeed be brilliant, but it cannot laugh or cry. It cannot be happy if we succeed, or sad if we fail.

Today I shall...

try to remain a human being in every way - by keeping in touch with my own feelings and being sensitive to the feelings of others.

With stories and insights,
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